Electric pump

Abstract

An electric pump includes a cylinder, a pumping element, a cap and a spring. The cylinder defines a space and at least one aperture in communication with the space and includes a first end defining an aperture and a second end defining an opening. The pumping element is received in the cylinder for pumping air through the aperture defined in the first end of the cylinder, the space and the at least one aperture. The battery includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and is received in the cylinder so that the first electrode is in electric connection with the pumping element. The cap is engaged with the second end of the cylinder. The spring is attached to the cap. The spring is in electric connection with the pumping element. The cap includes an OFF position where the spring is off the second electrode and an ON position where the spring is in connection with the second electrode. A tubular joint is secured to the first end of the cylinder. The tubular joint includes an end secured to the first end of the cylinder. An annular seal is formed on the tubular joint. The cylinder includes a thread formed on the second end thereof. The cap includes a thread formed on an internal face for engagement with the thread of the cylinder.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An electric pump including: 
       a cylinder ( 10 ) defining a space ( 14 ) and at least one aperture ( 19 ) in communication with the space ( 14 ) and including a first end ( 11 ) defining an aperture and a second end ( 12 ) defining an opening;  
       a pumping element ( 30 ) received in the cylinder ( 10 ) for pumping air through the aperture defined in the first end ( 11 ) of the cylinder ( 10 ), the space ( 14 ) and the at least one aperture ( 19 );  
       a battery ( 40 ) that includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and is received in the cylinder ( 10 ) so that the first electrode is in electric connection with the pumping element ( 30 );  
       a cap ( 20 ) engaged with the second end ( 12 ) of the cylinder ( 10 ); and  
       a spring ( 23 ) that is attached to the cap ( 20 ), and is in electric connection with the pumping element ( 30 ), wherein the cap ( 20 ) includes an OFF position where the spring ( 23 ) is off the second electrode and an ON position where the spring ( 23 ) is in connection with the second electrode.  
     
     
       2. The electric pump according to  claim 1  including a tubular joint secured to the first end ( 11 ) of the cylinder ( 10 ). 
     
     
       3. The electric pump according to  claim 2  wherein the tubular joint includes an end secured to the first end ( 11 ) of the cylinder ( 10 ) and a tapered opposite end ( 17 ). 
     
     
       4. The electric pump according to  claim 3  wherein the tubular joint includes an annular seal ( 16 ) formed thereon. 
     
     
       5. The electric pump according to  claim 1  wherein the cylinder ( 10 ) includes a thread ( 18 ) formed on the second end ( 12 ) thereof and the cap ( 20 ) includes a thread ( 22 ) formed on an internal face for engagement with the thread ( 18 ) of the cylinder ( 10 ). 
     
     
       6. A vacuum storage device including: 
       a container ( 50 );  
       a lid ( 51 ) for sealing the container ( 50 );  
       an outlet check valve ( 53 ) mounted on the lid ( 51 );  
       an inlet check valve ( 52 ) mounted on the lid ( 51 );  
       an annular lip ( 54 ) formed on the lid ( 51 ), wherein the check valves ( 52 ,  53 ) are located within the annular lip ( 54 );  
       a cylinder ( 10 ) defining a space ( 14 ) and at least one aperture ( 19 ) in communication with the space ( 14 ) and including a first end ( 11 ) defining an aperture for engagement with the annular lip ( 54 ) and a second end ( 12 ) defining an opening;  
       a pumping element ( 30 ) received in the cylinder ( 10 ) for pumping air through the aperture defined in the first end ( 11 ) of the cylinder ( 10 ), the space ( 14 ) and the at least one aperture ( 19 );  
       a battery ( 40 ) that includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and is received in the cylinder ( 10 ) so that the first electrode is in electric connection with the pumping element ( 30 );  
       a cap ( 20 ) engaged with the second end ( 12 ) of the cylinder ( 10 ); and  
       a spring ( 23 ) attached to the cap ( 20 ) in electric connection with the pumping element ( 30 ), wherein the cap ( 20 ) includes an OFF position where the spring ( 23 ) is off the second electrode and an OFF position where the spring ( 23 ) is in connection with the second electrode.